7 Best Must-see Events in “Kanagawa” Prefecture: February 2018 (w/Photos)

“Kanagawa” has a good access from Tokyo. There are popular tourist places among foreigners such as “Kamakura” and “Yokohama”. In this issue we introduce popular events in “Kanagawa” which will make your trip more fruitful.

Traditional Events

**1. “Mame-maki” (Scattering beans) & “Hoshi Matsuri” (a festival to make a wish to the stars) on “Setsubun” at “Heigen-ji” Temple (also known as “Kawasaki Daishi”): 4th February, 2018: **

“Kawasaki Daishi” Temple is one of the biggest temples in Kanagawa Prefecture. There “Mame-maki” is held after a ritual prayer for good fortune. People throw lucky beans from the stage of the temple shouting “Come-in Fortune”. The people who scatter beans are men and women who are born in the years with the same zodiac sign as the current year. Every year one ton of beans are scattered and many people gather to catch lucky beans. Also “Hoshi Matsuri” to make your wishes come true, is held on the same day. It is believed that there are 9 stars under one of which you are born. It affects your fates and fortune. At the temple you can do a ritual which brings you a good fortune. You have to make a reservation for “Hoshi Matsuri” in advance i.e. before the end of January, 2018. You will receive an amulet for good fortune after the ritual prayer. As there are many stalls and shops, it will be also nice to walk around.

Official site

2. “”Dai-Honzan Soji-ji” Temple – “Setsubun”: 3rd February, 2018

“Setsubun Tsuina-shiki” is an annual ritual event at “Dai-honzan Soji-ji” Temple. “Satsubun” is the day changing seasons from the winter to the spring and “Tsuina-shiki” is a ritual to ward-off misfortunes. Religious prayers for good health, realization of wishes, warding-off misfortune and inviting good fortune by the blessings of “Mahaprajnaparamita” Sutra are held on a big scale. The event is participated by men and women who are bone in the years with the same zodiac sign as the current year, and other guests. There are draws for grand prizes. During 30th January to 2nd February they sell “Fukumame” (lucky beans) in front of the approach road. On the day of “Mame Maki” (scattering lucky beans) only limited number of people are allowed to enter because of the danger of too big a crowd. The temple is conveniently located for easy access and reputed internationally as the principal “Zen” temple. In the precinct of 265,000 square meters there are “Daiyu Hoden” (the main building) and other buildings listed as cultural property. The precinct provides people an atmosphere of relaxation. Why not walk around when you visit there for the “Setsubun” ritual.

Schedule

・Dates & Hours

3rd February, 2018 (Sat)

Open the gate: 10:00, Commencement the ritual: 12:00

Access & Address

・Venue

“Daiso-do” Building, “Daihonzan Soji-ji” Temple

・Direction from the nearest station

7 minutes walk from “Tsurumi” Station, JR “Keihin-Tohoku” Line

・Travel time

10 minutes by train from “Yokohama” Station via “Keihin-Tohoku” Line

・Addess: 2-1-1 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa

・Map

Admission fee & Reservation

Admission free

Reservation not required

Official site

At “Hakone Jinja” Shrine, “Setsubun-sai Tsuina-shiki” is held. “Setsubun-sai” is a festivity of changing season (from the winter to the spring) and “Tsuina-shiki” is a religious ritual to ward-off misfortunes. “Setsubun-sai” starts with a procession by people disguised as “Udaijin” (minister of right), “Sadaijin” (minister of left), “Aka Oni” (a red ogre) and Ao Oni” (a blue ogre). “Udaijin” and “Sadaijin” are the highest rank in the ancient regime. After “Tsuina-shiki” ritual at “Kagura-den” (a hall for a dance dedicated to gods) and “Mame Maki” by elderly persons, “Uchi Mame” (throwing beans to the ogres) will be held on the “Ashino-ko” Lake. “Uchi Mame” is a unique event in “Hakone”. On the eve of “Setsubun-sai” you can watch fireworks as well. Why not enjoy those events of welcoming the spring while visiting “Hakone”, a popular tourist spot?

Admission fee & Reservation

Official site

Events to Enjoy with Children

4. The 10th “Nostalgic 2days”: 17th & 18th February, 2018

The 10th “the Largest Classic Car Trade Show in Japan” will be held at the “Pacifico Yokohama”. It is an exhibition of Japanese classic cars. The car manufacturing is the main industry of Japan and you can see the history of Japanese car industry. This year the venue is larger than ever and the concept is “Japan Premium” The event is produced by the classic car magazines “Nostalgic Hero”, “Hachimaru Hero”, and “Nostalgic Speed”. Many classic car dealers, auto parts manufacturers and car restorers from all over Japan participate. They exhibit and sell cars and auto parts. Legendary cars appeared on the cover of car magazine are displayed as well. Invited guests make a talk show. It is certainly a must-see event for classic car fans.

Schedule

・Dates & Hours

17th (Sat) & 18th (Sun) February, 2018

10:00 – 17:00

Access & Address

・Venue

Exhibition Hall B, C, D, the “Pacifico Yokohama”

・Direction from the nearest station

5 minutes walk from “Minato Mirai” Station, “Minato Mirai” Line

・Travel time

Approx. 11 minutes by train from “Yokohama” Station via “Minato Mirai” Line

・Address: 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa

・Map

Admission fee & Reservation

Admission: Yen2,000 (inc. a coupon for Yen500), Free for children of elementary school or under

(Note) Advance tickets are available.

Official site

“Seapara Nocturnal Island 2017-18” at “Hakkei-jima Sea Paradise” in Yokohama, invites you to mysterious nocturnal world of water. There are two main attractions, namely “Nocturnal Fantasy” which are virtual illuminations along the bay and “Inochi” (a life) where you walk thorough exhibitions in the aquarium. Here you will surely experience great impression and surprises second to none. On 23rd and 24th December there will be magical fireworks called “Symphonic Christmas Fireworks”. “Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise” is an amusement park consisting of an aquarium, shopping mall, restaurants, etc. Since the admission is free, you can enjoy promenades, dinning, amusements, having coffee, and so forth. Let’s enjoy walking around and the events as well.

Official site

Events to Enjoy the Nature

The “Soleil Hill” is located in a cape which commands beautiful views of “Sagami” Bay, Mt. Fuji and “Shonan” area. In the spring there flourish hundred thousand rape flowers in a flower garden of 5,000 square meters. It makes a magnificent yellow carpet, photogenic scenery with Mt. Fuji (the world heritage). Many people visit there to enjoy the amazing view. There are vegetable fields, a green house, and paddy fields in the garden. Throughout year people visit there to experience harvesting fruits and vegetables. In a ranch you can interact with cute animals and experience horse riding as well. This year capybaras joined the ranch. In the town area where you find houses of southern French style, you can experience cooking farm pizzas, making your own craft such as candles and painting a petit ocarina.

Schedule

・Dates & Hours

Late in December, 2017 – early March, 2018

December – February: 9:30 – 17:00

March: 9:00 – 18:00

Access & Address

・Venue

Soleil Hill, “Nagai Uminote Koen” Park

・Direction from the nearest station

Approx. 15 minutes by “Kekyu” bus for “Soleil-no Oka” from “Misaki-guchi” Station, Kehin Kyuko, and in the vicinity of the last stop

・Travel time

Approx. 1hour 20 minutes by train and bus, from “Yokohama” Station via “Kekyu Honsen” Line

Modern Art Event

From the winter to the early spring a fantastic light-up show with music called “Illuminations of Winter Cherry Blossom at Odawara-jo Casle” is held at “Odawara-jo Koen” Park. During the event period the main tower of the castle is open till 7:00p.m. (admission closes at 06:30p.m.) The illumination of Winter cherry blossom creates fantasia. Couples can have heartwarming experience of maneuvering movements of the illuminations by touching the sensors together hand-in-hand. In the “Flower Stories” show, the illuminations project flower blossoms such as plum, cherry, wisteria, iris, hydrangea, lotus, chrysanthemum, etc.

Schedule

・Dates & Hours

9th December, 2017 (Sat) – 4th March, 2018 (Sun)

05:00p.m. – 09:00p.m.

(Note) The main tower of the castle is closed on 13th & 31st December

Access & Address

・Venue

The main tower and the main square of “Odawara-jo” Castle

・Travel time

10 minutes walk from “Odawara” Station

・Address: 6-1 Jonai, Odawara-city, Kanagawa

・Map

Admission fee & Reservation

Admission for the main tower:

Adults: Yen500, Students senior-high & junior high: Yen200

Reservation not required

Official site

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